Serum phosphorus during the menstrual cycle

In the continuing search for a simple, noninvasive, reliable method to detect ovulation, phosphorus (P) levels have been measured in women across a menstrual cycle. Salivary P has been reported to increase significantly in women periovulatory. Reports of serum P show no such periovulatory peak. We measured serum P in nine ovulatory and two anovulatory women during one menstrual cycle. Indirect indicators of ovulation were biphasic BBT curve and luteal phase serum progesterone more than 3 ng/ml. No significant periovulatory change in serum P was found, only small fluctations ranging from 0.99–2.76 mg/dl. The absence of a periovulatory serum phosphorus peak in this and other investigations of serum P suggests that if there is altered P metabolism during the menstrual cycle, it is not reflected in the serum. Other mechanisms, such as urinary or salivary excretion, may be operating to maintain serum P within the physiological range. This hypothesis needs to be explored.     

Serum dioxin concentrations and menstrual cycle characteristics

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a widespread industrial environmental contaminant. Animal studies suggest that TCDD exposure alters the estrus cycle. Twenty years after a 1976 industrial explosion in Seveso, Italy, the authors interviewed female residents to determine whether there was an association between TCDD exposure and current menstrual cycle characteristics. The authors analyzed serum samples collected soon after the explosion to quantify individual TCDD levels. Among women who were premenarcheal at the time of the explosion, a 10-fold increase in serum TCDD level was associated with a lengthening of the menstrual cycle by 0.93 days (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.01, 1.86) and a reduction in the odds of scanty menstrual flow (adjusted odds ratio = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.10, 1.06). However, among women who were postmenarcheal at the time of the explosion, TCDD was not associated with menstrual cycle length (adjusted beta = -0.03 days, 95% CI: -0.61, 0.54) or scantiness of flow (adjusted odds ratio = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.70, 2.64). In both menarche groups, TCDD levels were associated with decreased odds of having irregular cycles (adjusted odds ratio = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.95) but were not related to days of flow (adjusted beta = 0.16 days, 95% CI: -0.08, 0.41). These results are consistent with effects of TCDD on ovarian function noted in some animal species and with greater sensitivity to TCDD during development.     

A comparison of serum leptin concentrations in obese and normal weight Japanese women with regular menstrual cycle

Leptin is a protein that is synthesized and secreted from adipose tissue. We examined the changes in serum leptin level during the menstrual cycle in 5 normal and 5 obese Japanese women, and compared the data with those of serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations. Serum leptin levels were highly correlated with body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat, being higher in the obese group than in the normal group. In the obese group, serum leptin level increased in the luteal phase in parallel with the rise in the serum E2 level. In the normal group, however, there was no significant change in serum level during the menstrual cycle. These results suggested that the serum leptin levels were influenced by the phase of menstrual cycle, probably through the action of E2, in different ways for obese and non-obese women.     

Electrochemical vaginal-oral potentials during the menstrual cycle in women

Electrochemical potentials were measured with non-polarizable salt electrodes (agar KCL-AgCL) during successive menstrual cycles in eight women. Four of them did not use any contraceptive, two were TCu users and the other two took oral contraceptives. Vaginal-tongue potentials presented biphasic cyclic changes. The vagina became positive in the middle of the menstrual cycle in all the women except those who were using contraceptive pills. Vaginal-oral potentials became positive (+) 24 hours after ingestion of oral contraceptives and up to 24 hours after discontinuation.     

Circulating concentrations of soluble leptin receptor: influence of menstrual cycle and diet therapy

Concentrations of the soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) may be related to leptin resistance in obesity. We measured sOB-R concentrations in serum in 103 non-diabetic Japanese men and women. All subjects were grouped according to body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)). Serum sOB-R concentrations did not differ significantly between normal-weight (18.5 < or = BMI < 25.0) men and women, but were significantly higher in underweight subjects (BMI < 18.5) than in normal-weight subjects. In contrast, overweight (25 < or = BMI < 30) and obese (30 < or = BMI < 35.0, 35.0 < or = BMI < 40, and BMI > or = 40) subjects had significantly lower sOB-R concentrations than did normal-weight subjects. Serum sOB-R concentrations were inversely correlated with BMI and serum immunoreactive leptin concentrations. Very low-energy diet therapy for 4 wk significantly lowered serum immunoreactive leptin concentrations but did not significantly affect serum sOB-R concentrations. Serum sOB-R concentrations did not change significantly during the menstrual cycle. Our results showed that serum sOB-R concentrations decrease with increasing BMI and that sex hormones likely do not affect serum sOB-R concentrations in non-pregnant women. The reduction in serum sOB-R concentrations in overweight and obese persons may reflect downregulation of hypothalamic leptin receptor production as a result of an increase in circulating leptin and might be an important factor in leptin resistance.     

Serum allopregnanolone levels relate to FSFI score during the menstrual cycle

The aim of this study was to measure serum allopregnanolone levels and other hormones in women who completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI; Rosen et al., 2000) during the follicular or the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Twenty-nine women with a regular menstrual cycle completed the FSFI during days 5-7 and days 19-21 of their menstrual cycles. We collected a blood sample on the same days so that we could determine levels of allopregnanolone (AP), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), free testosterone (FreeT), androstenedione (A), and estradiol (E2); we stored serum at--20 degrees C until we assayed it. We performed statistical analyses by parametric and nonparametric comparisons and correlations, as appropriate. We found that the full FSFI score was 23 +/- 11.3 (mean +/- SD; 31% under 95% confidence interval = 18.7) in our study population. We also found a significant positive correlation between serum allopregnanolone levels and each FSFI domain, including full scale score (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), with the exception of pain. Similarly, we found a positive correlation between FreeT and each FSFI domain and full scale score (r = 0.55, p < 0.002). We found no significant correlation among FSFI scores and DHEA, A, or E2 plasma levels. It is interesting to note that FSFI full score was significantly higher (p < 0.04) in women tested in the luteal phase compared to women tested in the follicular phase. Serum allopregnanolone may be relevant to female sexuality directly or by its influence on a woman's general sense of well-being during the menstrual cycle. Further studies are required to test the hypothesis that high serum allopregnanolone levels in the luteal phase play a role in women's attitudes toward self-report questionnaires on sexual function.     

Estradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle

Plasma and endometrial levels of E₂ and P were measured on different days of the menstrual cycle. The tissue concentrations of the steroids were determined in terms of wet weight, protein and DNA. There was a good correlation between the various modes of expression of tissue concentrations; the best being between protein and DNA and the least satisfactory between wet weight and DNA. P concentrations not only in plasma but also in the endometrium were significantly higher in the secretory phase than in the proliferative phase. No significant differences in plasma or tissue levels of E₂ in the different phases of the menstrual cycles could be demonstrated.     

正常月经血清瘦素的变化

目的:探讨健康女性血清中瘦素水平情况与月经周期的关系。方法:通过放射免疫分析方法检测45例月经正常者中血清瘦素浓度,比较月经期、卵泡期、排卵期及黄体期血清瘦素水平。结果:正常女性血清瘦素水平月经期低于卵泡期,卵泡期低于排卵期,排卵期高于黄体期,黄体期高于月经期,差异均具有显著性(P<0.01)。结论:正常人血清瘦素水平随月经周期呈周期性变化,月经期最低,卵泡期逐渐上升,排卵期最高,黄体期逐渐下降至月经期最低,为临床上瘦素水平定量检测提供了依据。     

Metabolic changes during the menstrual cycle

1. Eight women maintained on a constant diet throughout a single menstrual cycle were studied for cyclical changes in body-weight, carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. 2. A cyclical variation in weight occurred with two phases corresponding to the time of ovulation and menstruation. 3. Creatinine and nitrogen excretion in the urine also tended to be higher in the luteal phase. 4. Analysis of gas exchange in a respiratory chamber for 24 h periods at intervals during the cycle suggested that carbohydrate utilization tended to be less in the early follicular phase. 5. Feeding with a mixed diet produced marked increases in carbohydrate utilization during the day with little change in fat utilization from the fasting state. Carbohydrate utilization was less when fasting at night and tended to be less when fed during the day in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. 6. Weight changes were not readily ascribed to changes in colonic function, or in glycogen or body protein storage.     

Changes in nutrient intake during the menstrual cycle of overweight women with premenstrual syndrome

This study presents the nutrient data collected from women who were being screened for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) for entry into an intervention study. Screening was by the Steiner self-rated questionnaire. One hundred and forty-four overweight women completed the screening process and eighty-eight met the criteria for PMS. All women kept 4 d diet diaries pre- and postmenstrually over two menstrual cycles. The mean energy and macronutrient intakes were compared between the pre- and postmenstrual phases. Energy and macronutrient intake was also calculated according to food categories. Goldberg's cut-off limit for the ratio of energy intake to estimated basal metabolic rate was used to exclude data that was incompatible with predicted energy requirements. The diet diaries were also used to determine the mean number of meals or snacks eaten pre- and postmenstrually. Nutrient analysis of the diet diaries of the women with PMS showed a significant increase (P < 0.001) in total energy and all macronutrients premenstrually when compared to nutrient intake postmenstrually. Women who did not meet the criteria for PMS showed a significant increase in energy and fat intake (P < 0.05) but not in the other macronutrients. When adjusted for energy, data collected from women with PMS showed a premenstrual significant increase in fat, carbohydrate (P < 0.05) and simple sugars (P < 0.001). There was a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in protein premenstrually. Women not meeting the PMS criteria showed no significant difference between pre- and postmenstrual intakes when adjusted for energy. Analysis according to food categories in women with PMS showed a significantly greater intake premenstrually of energy and all macronutrients for cereals, cakes and desserts and high-sugar foods (P < 0.001). In women with PMS there was a significantly greater number of 'episodes of eating' premenstrually (P < 0.001). This study provides further evidence, to support the very limited number of earlier studies, that there is a group of women with PMS who increase their nutrient intake during the premenstrual phase. This could potentially be a contributing factor for some women experiencing difficulties adhering to suggested dietary modification and should be considered when counselling premenopausal women.     

Serum leptin concentrations after surgery in young rats

OBJECTIVES: We describe changes in serum leptin concentrations after surgery (laparotomy, partial hepatectomy, splenectomy, and unilateral nephrectomy) in young male rats. Because we presumed that pain and inflammation would influence food intake and subsequent leptin release, laparotomized and partially hepatectomized rats were treated with ibuprofen. METHODS: Preoperative blood samples were taken from the retroorbital sinuses, and postoperative blood samples were taken from the aorta, vena portae, and vena cava 18 h after surgery. Serum leptin concentrations were estimated by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Pre- and postoperative serum leptin concentrations did not differ significantly in rats with partial hepatectomy (5.1 +/- 0.4 versus 4.2 +/- 1.1 microg/L), splenectomy (6.1 +/- 0.4 versus 5.0 +/- 0.6 microg/L), or unilateral nephrectomy (4.1 +/- 0.7 versus 5.0 +/- 1.3 microg/L). Significant decreases in serum leptin were observed after laparotomy (8.1 +/- 0.9 versus 3.7 +/- 0.5 microg/L), laparotomy plus ibuprofen treatment (8.9 +/- 1.6 versus 3.1 +/- 0.4 microg/L), and partial hepatectomy plus ibuprofen treatment (5.4 +/- 0.6 versus 3.2 +/- 0.3 microg/L). We observed no significant differences in serum leptin concentrations measured in different regions of the body. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical interventions in young rats are accompanied by decreases in serum leptin. The liver, spleen, and kidney may participate in leptin clearance. Ibuprofen treatment leads to additional decreases in serum leptin concentrations.     

Serum leptin concentrations in patients with short-bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND: Short-bowel syndrome is a state of severe malabsorption resulting from absence or removal of the small bowel for several causes. A number of short-bowel patients develop hyperphagia. Leptin, a protein secreted from adipose tissue, signals the amount of energy stores to the brain. OBJECTIVE: To study body composition and leptin regulation in short-bowel patients and to determine whether or not leptin concentrations are linked with hyperphagia. DESIGN: We studied 25 short-bowel patients (remnant bowel less than 150 cm) and 31 controls and 10 oral nutrition. Fifteen patients received total parenteral nutrition and 10 oral nutrition. Anthropometric measurements, body composition (by bioelectrical impedance), and cholesterol, triacylglycerol and leptin concentrations were studied in all subjects. RESULTS: There were no differences between short-bowel patients and controls in anthropometric variables, body composition, or leptin concentrations. Leptin concentrations were higher in short-bowel women than men (9.21+/-8.54 vs. 3.22+/-1.86 ng/ml, P=0.01). Leptin concentrations correlated positively with age (r=0.4, P=0.045), body mass index (r=0.52, P=0.007), fat mass (r=0.67, P=0.001) and body fat (r=0.68, P=0.0001); there were no correlations with other body composition parameters. We found no correlations between parenteral or oral nutrition and body composition parameters, or between leptin concentrations and the presence of hyperphagia. Logistic regression analysis showed that body fat correctly identified leptin concentrations in 60% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Body composition, leptin concentrations and leptin regulation in patients with short-bowel syndrome are similar to those of controls. Leptin concentrations do not correlate with hyperphagia in short bowel-patients.     

Changes in energy expenditure during the menstrual cycle

1. Eight women were studied under metabolic-ward conditions while consuming a constant diet throughout a single menstrual cycle. Basal body temperature, salivary and urinary hormone concentrations were used in monitoring the cycle and designing the study so that whole-body calorimetry for 36 h was conducted at four phases of the cycle in relation to the time of ovulation. 2. The metabolic rate during sleep showed cyclical changes, being lowest in the late follicular phase and highest in the late luteal phase. The increase amounted to 6.1 (SD 2.7)%. Energy expenditure (24 h) also increased but the change was not statistically significant (P greater than 0.05). Exercise efficiency did not change during the cycle. 3. There were no significant changes in plasma thyroxine, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine or free 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine concentrations to explain the metabolic rate changes; nor did they relate to urinary luteinizing hormone, pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide or oestrone-3-glucuronide excretion rates. No link with salivary cortisol or progesterone concentrations was observed, but there was a small inverse relation between the individual increase in sleeping metabolic rate and the subjects' falling ratio of urinary oestrone-3-glucuronide: pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide.     

Serum SHBG levels during normal menstrual cycle and after insertion of levonorgestrel-releasing IUD

Daily serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were measured during normal ovulatory menstrual cycles in ten women between the ages of 23 and 34 by the method of precipitation with ammonium sulfate. The results showed that the mean SHBG levels in a cycle were quite different among individuals, but that the SHBG levels were constant during a certain menstrual cycle. Neither SHBG peaks on day LH-0 (52.64±19.89 nmol/L) (x±SD) nor the mean SHBG levels between the follicular phase (57.10±17.64 nmol/L) and luteal phase (64.75±23.42 nmol/L) show any significant differences.The correlations between the mean SHBG levels and the mean concentrations of progesterone (P), estradiol (E2) and androstenedione during the menstrual cycles were insignificant, whereas the mean SHBG levels during the follicular and luteal phase and on LH-0 day were significantly correlated with the mean concentrations of testosterone (t=0.474;p<0.05).In ten women between the ages of 5 and 34, serum SHBG, E2, P, and levonorgestrel (LNG) levels were measured once on day 20–21 of the pretreatment cycle and 3 times/week during the 1st, and 2 times/week during the 6th treatment cycle after insertion of a levonorgestrel-releasing IUD (LNG-IUD). The mean value of SHBG in the pretreatment blood samples (62.09±23.09 nmol/L) was higher than that after insertion of the LNG-IUD (41.82±20.50 nmol/L), though the difference was not significant (p>0.05). The correlation between LNG and SHBG was highly significant (r=0.89,p<0.01). The significance of this correlation and the degree of suppression of ovarian function are discussed.

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Resumen Se midieron durante los ciclos ovulatorios menstruales normales en diez mujeres, de 23 a 34 años, por el método de precipitación con sulfato ámonico, los niveles séricos diarios de la globulina que enlaza las hormonas sexuales (SHBG). Los resultados demostraron que los niveles medios de SHBG en un ciclo variaban considerablemente según la persona, pero eran constantes durante un ciclo dado. Ni los picos de SHBG en el día 0 de HL (52,64±19,89 nmol/L) (x±SD) ni los niveles medios de SHBG entre la fase folicular (57,10±17,64 nmol/L) y la fase lútea (64,75±23,42 nmol/L) presentan diferencias significativas.Las correlaciones entre los niveles medios de SHBG y las concentraciones medias de progesterona (P), estradiol (E2) y androstenediona durante los ciclos menstruales eran insignificantes, mientra sque los niveles medios de SHBG durante las fases folicular y lútea y en el día 0 de LH presentaban correlaciones significativas con las concentraciones de testosterona (t=0,474,p<0,05).Se midieron en 10 mujeres de 25 a 34 años los niveles de SHBG, E2, P y levonorgestrel (LNG) una vez por día en el día 20–21 del ciclo anterior al tratamiento y 3 veces por semana durante la primera semana, 2 veces por semana durante la sexta semana del ciclo de tratamiento después de la inserción de un DIU que liberaba levonorgestrel (DIU-LNG). El valor medio de SHBG en las muestras de sangre anteriores al tratamiento (62,09±23,09 nmol/L) era más alto que después de la inserción del DIU-LNG, si bien la diferencia no era significativa (p>0,05). En cambio, la correlación entre LNG y SHBG era muy significativa (r=0,89p<0,01). Este artículo examina lo que representa esta correlación y el grado de supresión de la función ovárica.

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Resumé On a mesuré durant des cycles ovulatoires menstruels normaux chez dix femmes, âgées de 23 à 34 ans, par la méthode de précipitation avec du sulfate d'ammonium, les niveaux sériques journaliers de la globuline liant les hormones sexuelles (SHBG). Les résultats ont montré que les niveaux moyens de SHBG durant un cycle variaient considérablement selon les individus, mais qu'ils étaient constants pendant un cycle donné. Ni les pics de SHBG au jour 0 de HL (52,64±19,89 nmol/L) (x±SD) ni les niveaux moyens de SHBG entre la phase folliculaire (57,10±17,64 nmol/L) et la phase lutéale (64,75±23,42 nmol/L) ne présentent de différences significatives.Les corrélations entre les niveaux moyens de SHBG et les concentrations moyennes de progestérone (P), oestradiol (E2) et androstènedione pendant les cycles menstruels étaient insignifiants, alors que le niveaux moyens de SHBG pendant les phases folliculaire et lutéale et au jour 0 de LH présentaient des corrélations significatives avec les concentrations de testostérone (t=0,474,p<0,05).On a mesuré chez 10 femmes âgées de 25 à 34 ans, les niveaux de SHBG, E2, P et lévonorgestrel (LNG) une fois au jour 20–21 du cycle précédant le traitement et trois fois par semaine pendant la première semaine, 2 fois par semaine pendant la sixième semaine du cycle sous traitement après l'insertion d'un DIU libérant du lévonorgestrel (DIU-LNG). La valeur moyenne de SHBG dans les échantillons sanguins antérieurs au traitement (62,09±23,09 nmol/L) étaient plus élevés qu'après l'insertion du (DIU-LNG), encore que la différence n'ait pas été significative (p>0,05). La corrélation entre LNG et SHBG par contre était très significative (r=0,89p<0,01). L'article examine ce que représente cette corrélation et le degré de suppression de la fonction ovarienne.

     

Body image changes over the menstrual cycle in normal women

Changes in body image across the menstrual cycle and the relationship between these changes and menstrual distress were investigated in an effort to identify determinants of body dissatisfaction. Twenty-six normally cycling women between 18–40 years of age and 90–115% of ideal body weight, with no history of an eating disorder, completed a series of body image measures and a measure of menstrual distress during three menstrual cycle phases: perimenstrual, follicular, and luteal. These phases were identified with serum levels of ovarian hormones and basal body temperature. Results indicated that body dissatisfaction as measured by the number of body-related negative thoughts and anxiety about appearance was significantly highest during the perimenstrual phase. In contrast, measures of body size perception remained stable. Several somatosensory and psychological symptoms of menstrual distress were significantly associated with body dissatisfaction during the perimenstrual phase including, water retention, autonomic reactivity, control, negative affect, and impaired concentration. This association of body dissatisfaction and menstrual distress strongly suggests that menstrual cycle changes play a significant role in body image. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Serum immunoglobulins E are related to menstrual cycle

During a cross sectional epidemiological survey on a general population sample, 596 fertile women underwent total serum IgE detemination. They completed an interviewer-administered standardized questionnaire and were categorized according to their menstrual period. They were divided into two groups: those from days 10 to 20, who were considered to be in the periovulatory phase, and those in the other phases. IgE mean values were significantly different (p = 0.01) in the two groups: particularly, lower IgE values were found in those in periovulatory phase, after accounting for smoking habit and atopic status. By multiple regression analysis, taking into account the independent effects of menstrual period, age, smoking habit, hours of fast, skin prick test reactivity and presence of cough, significantly lower IgE values in the periovulatory phase were found. We hypothesize the possibility that a decrease of IgE concentration occurs during midcycle: a reduced immune response might facilitate the ovuli implantation. Further studies are necessary to longitudinally investigate the trend of IgE in the same women, as well as the distributions and the trends of other immunoglobulins.     

A Bayesian order-restricted model for hormonal dynamics during menstrual cycles of healthy women

We propose a Bayesian framework for analyzing multivariate linear mixed effect models with linear constraints on the fixed effect parameters. The procedure can incorporate both firm and soft restrictions on the parameters and Bayesian model selection for the random effects. The framework is used to analyze data from the BioCycle study. One of the main objectives of the BioCycle study is to investigate the association between markers of oxidative stress and hormone levels during menstrual cycles of healthy women. Contrary to the popular belief that ovarian hormones are negatively associated with level of F (2) -isoprostanes, a known marker for oxidative stress, our analysis finds a positive association between ovarian hormone levels and isoprostane levels. The positive association corroborates the findings from a previous analysis of the BioCycle data. Copyright ? 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.